Could Your Everyday Activities be Causing You Stress?
We all know that stress is a part of life. Things such as work, school, or family problems can cause stress. While most people are aware of the major sources of stress in their lives, additional hidden stressors may wreak havoc. These can include environmental toxins, financial worries, and social isolation. Hidden stressors can significantly impact our health and well-being and may not even feel stressful.
Which hidden stressors do you have?
Frequent use of social media
Obsessive news consumption
High air pollution
Excessive noise
Frequent travel
Intense exercise
Food intolerances
High caffeine intake
High alcohol intake
“Always on” texts and email
Long commute in traffic
Unhappy relationships
Lack of confidence
Comparing yourself to others
The good news is that you can equip yourself to better cope with and minimize any stress in your life. Here are just a few things you can try:
Log Your Stress
For two weeks, keep track of your stressors and symptoms. Each morning when you wake, log your wake time, how you feel, and how you slept. During the day, log what you eat and drink, how you feel, and list any exposures to hidden stressors. Before you go to sleep, log the time you climbed into bed and how you feel.
Add Stress Relievers
Find at least five stress relievers that work for you. A stress reliever can be anything. You can try yoga, deep breathing, reading, music, drinking tea, a warm bath, writing thank-you letters, or walking in nature.
You may need to experiment to find the stress relievers that work for you. If you need to add a few more practices to your toolbox, try the following:
Pick one method to try
Use your log to keep track of your symptoms
After two weeks, review your journal and notice how your feeling
Repeat steps 1-3 with a new practice
Want to learn more?
I’d love to help you kickstart your journey to lower stress. I have a FREE 5-day challenge starting Monday, March 7. This challenge will help you build lasting habits to keep your stress levels at bay. Click below to learn more and register.